India and Pakistan have reached an agreement to extend the validity of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for an additional five years, read the statement from the Ministry of External Affairs on October 22..

This agreement, which was originally signed on October 24, 2019, allows Indian pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan’s Narowal district via the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. It was initially valid for a five-year period.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the ongoing requests from pilgrims regarding the removal of the $20 service charge imposed by Pakistan for each pilgrim per visit. India has urged Pakistan to reconsider this fee to facilitate easier access for the devotees.

In June, Pakistan granted 509 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to commemorate the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, who was the first king of the Sikh empire in the 19th century and is often referred to as ‘Sher-e-Punjab.’ The Pakistan High Commission in India confirmed the issuance of these visas for the annual event scheduled from June 21 to 30, 2024.

Saad Ahmad Warraich, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, reiterated his country's commitment to providing necessary assistance for the pilgrims' journeys. Visa issuance is governed by the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, established in 1974, and a significant number of Indian pilgrims travel to Pakistan each year to participate in various religious festivities.

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